17.2 – Relationships to support the goals

17.2.3 – International collaboration data gathering for SDG

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) plays a pivotal role in advancing international collaboration on data gathering, measurement, and policy alignment for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its strong academic and research networks, UKM actively contributes to global and regional efforts that integrate science, technology and innovation to achieve sustainable outcomes.

UKM’s international engagement includes hosting and leading key initiatives such as the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) International Secretariat Overview and Training Workshop, U-Inspire Malaysia @ UKM, and strategic collaborations with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These efforts are complemented by UKM’s active participation in the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Sustainability Blueprint Taskforce, where the university contributes expertise toward developing and implementing sustainability frameworks across ASEAN higher education institutions.

Summary of the collaborations

No	List of the collaboration
1	UMAP International Secretariat Overview and Training Workshop
2	U-Inspire Malaysia @UKM
3	The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
4	ASEAN University Network (AUN) Sustainability Taskforce

1. University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) International Secretariat Overview and Training Workshop 

University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) is a consortium of Higher Educations Institutions and partners, collaborating to increase opportunities for study abroad across the Asia Pacific region through a variety of short and long-term in-person and virtual exchange opportunities, as well as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences. 

On 14 October 2024, The International Relations Centre (UKM Global), in collaboration with the UKM Strategy Centre, organized the UMAP International Secretariat Overview and Training Workshop held at the Senate Room, Chancellery, UKM. As the National Secretariat for the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) in Malaysia, UKM brought together representatives from 16 member universities, comprising both public and private higher education institutions. The sharing and training session was conducted by Ms. Chelsey Laird, Director of the UMAP International Secretariat based at Vancouver Community College, Canada. UMAP is an international organization that promotes mobility and other internationalization programs among its member universities. This session focused on hands-on training for the use of the online system by all participating university representatives.

The initiative is a call for contributions, as they seek input to inform their work on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within higher education networks. This study is likely to enhance collaboration and alignment with SDG objectives, fostering more cohesive and impactful SDG initiatives across member institutions.

2. U-Inspire Malaysia @UKM

U-Inspire Malaysia @ UKM is a youth-led initiative hosted at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) that focuses on engaging young professionals in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change action. Part of a broader U-Inspire network across the Asia-Pacific region, U-Inspire Malaysia is connected with SEADPRI-UKM (Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Institute) and supported by organizations such as the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO. A platform for youth and young professionals in Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) to accelerate the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), inline with the Sendai Framework, to support DRR policy and action at local, national and international level.

The organizational chart illustrates a network under the patronage of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Industry & Community Partnerships, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, involving SEADPRI (Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Institute) and the Asian Network on Climate Science and Technology. This organizational chart shows the connections and collaborations that SEADPRI-UKM has established, including international and national networks, to support disaster prevention, climate resilience, and youth engagement in climate and disaster risk reduction.

On 5th November 2024, Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Centre (SEADPRI), UKM in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM)  United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), organized Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) together with U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM, aims to ensure that members of educational institutions, especially students, are always prepared to face disasters. Students are given comprehensive exposure to the steps needed to respond to potential disasters and how they can protect themselves and their families. This effort is aligned with the Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, and KPM is committed to ensuring that all members of educational institutions are well-prepared for disaster situations.

3. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

UKM actively participates in global scientific efforts to collect, assess and harmonize data that inform evidence-based decision-making for the SDGs. UKM researchers hold leading roles in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), contributing directly to international measurement frameworks that underpin climate-related SDG indicators.

Prof. Joy Jacqueline Pereira (Principal Research Fellow at SEADPRI-UKM), Co-Chair of Working Group III (Mitigation of Climate Change), IPCC, leads international collaboration on assessing pathways for greenhouse-gas reduction, technology adoption and climate-resilient policy. Her leadership ensures regional data integration and strengthens Malaysia’s representation in global SDG data synthesis.

Prof. Mohd Talib Latif (UKM Faculty Professor), Task Force Bureau (TFB) Member, IPCC Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI), contributes to the development of internationally agreed methodologies for calculating national anthropogenic GHG emissions and removals, key datasets used by UN member states to report progress toward SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Ms. Siti Khadijah Satari (UKM Research Officer), Project Administrator, IPCC Working Group III Technical Support Unit (TSU), supports the coordination and technical quality of climate-mitigation data and analyses, ensuring the robustness and transparency of the datasets used in IPCC assessment reports.

4. ASEAN University Network Sustainability Blueprint Taskforce

The proposed ASEAN University Network Sustainability Blueprint (AUN Sustainability Blueprint) was an outcome during the 11th ASEAN+3 Heads of International Relations Meeting (IRO+3) Meeting on April 24 – 25, 2024. It is with great commitment to incorporate the SDG Matters into AUN activities.

The purpose of the Blueprint:

• To reflect the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in AUN Activities.
• To provide a guideline such that activities of AUN Member Universities can be aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.
• To promote good practices in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in member universities.

In implementing this blueprint, two experts from UKM were appointed in the International Task Force Committee: Associate Professor Sr Ts Gs Dr. Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment and Associate Professor Dr. Tanot Unjah from the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI). Their participation enables UKM to contribute ideas, technical expertise and best practices on sustainability effort, data collection and performance measurement. Through this collaboration with AUN, UKM also benefits from adopting international frameworks and good practices, strengthening the university’s SDG data governance, benchmarking and sustainability implementation.

UKM has significantly strengthened global efforts to monitor and advance the SDGs through active participation in international data-driven collaborations. By engaging in strategic platforms such as UMAP, U-Inspire Malaysia, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Sustainability Taskforce, UKM demonstrates leadership in generating evidence-based sustainability insights. The appointment of UKM experts to international task forces and committees further underscores the university’s role in shaping global sustainability frameworks and benchmarking standards. Through knowledge exchange, capacity-building workshops and adoption of global data governance approaches, UKM enhances the rigor and transparency of SDG data reporting, reinforces regional alignment in sustainability metrics and contributes to a stronger global ecosystem for informed SDG implementation.